“But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’” (Matthew 1:20) Three verses context before and after: “When his mother…to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet… He did as the angel of the Lord commanded him…” (Matthew 1:18-24)

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This visitation highlights divine alignment within the mortal realm, signifying Joseph’s pivotal role in the messianic plan. The appearance of an angel via dreams is a recurring motif of divine communication intending reaffirmation and prophetic fulfilment. Joseph is addressed as “son of David,” connecting Jesus’ lineage to David, affirming the royal and Messianic prophecy lineage.

… the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh, and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, including yourselves who are called to belong

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Jesus is David’s descendant, fully human, heir to Israel’s royal line. Jesus is publicly revealed as God’s Son through the resurrection. “According to the flesh” does not mean “sinful flesh” here; it means human ancestry. By identifying Jesus as David’s descendant, Paul is saying: Jesus fulfills the royal-messianic expectation; Jesus is not a mythical figure, but a person located within Israel’s history and the gospel is the continuation of God’s covenant promises. Romans begins with Paul’s gospel summary. By emphasising Jesus’ descent from David: He establishes continuity with Jewish messianic hopes. He asserts that the Messiah truly entered human history. And he counters early docetism (ideas that Jesus only appeared human).

Thus says the Lord God: It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass. For the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin (within sixty-five years Ephraim will be shattered, no longer a people). The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is the son of Remaliah. If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all. Again, the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then Isaiah said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey by the time he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land before whose two kings you are in dread will be deserted. The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your ancestral house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria.”

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In refusing to ask for a sign, King Ahaz of Judah seeks to avoid testing God, a decision seen as either humility or lack of faith. His refusal suggests a disbelief or unwillingness to fully trust in God’s promises, showing the challenges of faith in leadership roles. Isaiah’s response underlines the importance of divine reliance over human strategy in biblical narratives, stressing genuine faith in God’s plan is crucial for all believers. Ahaz is terrified because: Syria (Aram) and the northern kingdom of Israel (Ephraim) are forming an alliance to attack Judah and replace Ahaz with a puppet king. Isaiah tells Ahaz not to fear; God will not allow these enemies to succeed. God even invites Ahaz to ask for a sign, but Ahaz refuses—out of false piety and real distrust.

“Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.” (Matthew 1:18-24)

Deeper Dive

Joseph’s dilemma is an important highlight in the narrative of Jesus’ birth. Being a just man, his decision reflects compassion and adherence to Jewish law. The divine intervention reveals the symbolic and supernatural element of Jesus’ birth, encapsulated by the angel’s assurance that Mary’s child is conceived by the Holy Spirit. This set Jesus apart as having divine origins, fulfilling prophecies, and demonstrating God’s presence with humankind through ‘Emmanuel’. Joseph’s acceptance exemplifies obedience and faith.